Dementia patients 'let down'

A report by MPs and members of the House of Lords has found "barriers" to dementia diagnosis which result in "shocking delays".

The report, by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, revealed that some patients had waited for over a year to get an appointment at a memory clinic.

It has been estimated that only 43% of people in the UK with the disease have been officially diagnosed with dementia.

The rate was estimated to be lowest in Wales, at 37.4%, while Scotland had the highest rate of 64.5%. Northern Ireland's estimate was 61.5% and England's was 41%.

The report found earlier diagnosis could bring many positive benefits, both for the sufferer and their families, and in terms of financial savings.

However, after looking at data from over 1,000 GPs, carers and hospital specialists, the report found "barriers" to diagnosis and treatment.

The Group also said there were significant "variations in access to memory services" around the country.

Jo Webber, from the NHS Confederation, said: "It is quite clear that every part of the health service is going to have to adapt to the needs of this growing group of patients - from the GP surgery to the hospital ward. We have to be honest and say we are not there yet."